Political and legal experts believe Dwyer's attempt to get out in front of his drunken boat collision does him more harm than good.

"It's inappropriate for him... it's dead wrong -- I understand what's he's doing. He's seeking repentance. There is a time. There is a place. Children were hurt. There is no excuse," attorney Bruce Robinson said. "He has to know all the facts before he starts apologizing and saying, 'I had a .2 (percent blood alcohol level),' because he's painting himself into a corner, which he may never be able to get out from."

Robinson of Robinson Associates in Pikesville is an expert in Maryland DUI and DWI law. Robinson said he believes Dwyer faces several charges.

"The biggest charge he has is operating under the influence, operating, in his case, a vessel or boat under the influence. It carries a maximum of a year, and then there's a reckless charge that can be associated with that which carries another 30 days on top of that," Robinson said.

Dwyer and his boat passenger John Moran, a political candidate in 2010 and current police officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, collided with another motorboat on the Magothy River on Wednesday. Dwyer and several children, ended up in the hospital.

Sources tell 11 News investigators are looking into the bar tab Dwyer and Moran ran up at an Eastern shore establishment prior to the crash.

UMBC officials tell 11 News they see no reason to discipline Moran.

Dwyer declared his alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at the time.

Legal experts contend the amount, the accident and the fact children were hurt will be unforgivable to a judge.

"You have the public trust. You violated that trust in a major way and now, 'I'm going to punish you for that,'" Robinson said.

In addition to legal consequences, a conviction could toss Dwyer out of his delegate seat. A bill Dwyer voted in favor of, which now goes to the November ballot for voter approval, immediately removes a lawmaker after a criminal guilty verdict.

Current law allows them to stay in office until sentencing. The statue also applies to conduct contrary to community standards.

"I think drunkenness is regarded as a case of moral turpitude and this will apply to him," said Matthew Crenson with Johns Hopkins.

The Republican Party is distancing itself from Dwyer.

House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio on Friday released a statement regarding the accident.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with those injured in this accident and we continue to pray for their recovery. While we appreciate Delegate Dwyer’s frankness in his statements, we are troubled by these circumstances. This situation shows once again that no one is immune to the dangers of operating any type of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. We will refrain from any further comments on this ongoing investigation and allow the Department of Natural Resources officers to do their job as the legal process moves forward."

Like Dwyer, experts said the GOP misfired.

"Make a point of condemning what he did, but praise his honesty and try to identify your own party with that kind of moral behavior," Matthew Crenson said.

Maryland Natural Resources Police said it is aware of Dwyer's comments about drinking alcohol prior to the accident, but investigators are not taking action just yet. They're waiting for results of the blood test they gave him, which may not be available for weeks.

Last year, Natural Resources police said it arrested 124 people for operating a water craft while intoxicated. Authorities said 2 percent of the 186 reported boating accidents last year involved alcohol use.

Police said 24 people died in boating accidents last year, and in 25 percent of those cases, alcohol was a factor.